Usually, each year, I begin the year with a series of declarations. Some may call them resolutions. This year, I decided to hang my year on John 19:30:

“IT IS FINISHED!”

In an earlier post, I mentioned that according to Biblical numerology, the number 15 signified “new direction.” The number two signifies union, division or verification of facts by witnesses. The number 30 represents the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ.

Well, 2 X 15 = 30

In John 19:30, Jesus sacrificially gave up His life and His Spirit for us. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit,” (John 19:30, NKJV). Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross. His sacrifice was not only witnessed by several others, His sacrifice was the ultimate, new direction. In fact, all prior shifts in directions led to this moment.

As 2015 ends, I declare that, It is indeed finished!” Every dream and promise that God has placed on our hearts have already been answered. It is finished. 2015 is finished. In Psalms 27:13, David said, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living,” (NIV). In 2016, we should expect to see the goodness of the Lord in our lives. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think,” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).

For some, 2015 was a tumultuous year, perhaps it could even be called a year of many changes. According to Biblical numerology, the number fifteen is the number of rest. Some sources say that 15 is also the number of new direction. Below are some of the Biblical references associated with the number 15:

The Great Flood:

Genesis 7:7 (the 15th time Noah was mentioned in the Bible)

“And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood,” (KJV).

Abram first enters Egypt:

Genesis 12:14 (the 15th time Abram was mentioned)

“And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt…” (KJV).

Abraham enters Sodom:

Genesis 18:16 (the 15th time Abraham is mentioned)

“And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way,” (KJV).

Eliezar goes to Haran to find a wife for Isaac (the 15th time Isaac is mentioned):

Genesis 24:14

“And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master,” (KJV).

Joseph is sold into slavery, which changes the trajectory of his life.

Genesis 37:28 (the 15th time Joseph is mentioned)

“Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt,” (KJV).

Naomi sends Ruth in a new direction, which ultimately leads Ruth to Boaz.

Ruth 3:1 (the 15th time Naomi is mentioned)

“then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee,” (KJV)?

Proverbs 20:24 says, “The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way,” (NLT)? Similarly, Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps,” (NIV). How often do we plan our lives in one direction, only to find out that God has other plans? In order to grow, and to be truly happy, we have to be willing to succumb to God’s will. Maybe, for many of us, 2015 was the beginning of a new direction. Maybe, God was stimulating the renewal of our minds. In 2015, many of us were faced with new circumstances, challenges and opportunities that we could not have predicted. However, the fact that we are reading this blog, only means that we survived 2015 and are walking into 2016, “The Year of Love!”

Sixteen is the number of love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16, NIV). In 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Paul lists sixteen characteristics of love:

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love is not jealous.

Love is not boastful.

Love is not proud.

Love is not rude.

Love does not demand its own way.

Love is not irritable.

Love keeps no record of being wronged.

Love does not rejoice about injustice.

Love rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up.

Love never loses faith.

Love is always hopeful.

Love endures through every circumstance.

Love will last forever!

In Genesis 7:9, “There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. This was the 16th time that Noah was mentioned.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit,” (NIV). It was with His words that God created the heavens and the Earth. It is with our words that we speak life into our situations. I believe that 2016 will be the “Year of Love.” This year, marriages will be consummated and reconciled; wayward sons and daughters will return home, and families and friendships will be restored. I decree and declare this in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Numerology References cited from The Biblical Meaning of Numbers from One to Forty by Dr. Stephen E. Jones.